Serious about real estate

Choosing the Right Neighborhood

When you begin your search for a new home, it’s important to do research on the neighborhood that you will be moving into. You may find a home that you absolutely love, but your new neighborhood has the final say on your satisfaction when living there. To make sure that you’re choosing the right home for your needs, look into what each neighborhood or community offers. Here are 5 tips to help you choose the right neighborhood:

1. Proximity to family and friends

To some, living close to friends and family is important. They are your support system and you enjoy seeing them often. If this is the case for you, consider how far you are willing to move. Living farther away could mean seeing less of your loved ones. On the other hand, some of you are looking for an adventure and put less stock in being near family and friends. You want to make new friends and have new experiences. In this case, moving farther away will be beneficial for you. It all depends on what you want in your future.

2. Decide what advantages you want

Being within walking distance of a gym or shopping center is valuable to some. Others may want a quiet area with minimal traffic. Maybe you’d like a large backyard for the kids to play in. Each choice you make brings you closer to your desired neighborhood. But remember, they also come with some sacrifices. The proximity to a shopping center leads to busier streets and a noisier community. A large backyard means higher taxes. Make a list of what you can live with and what you can’t before you begin your search.

3. Consider what type or style of home you want

Do you want a newly constructed home? Something colonial? Or maybe a cape cod? Some neighborhoods offer more of one type of home than others. This all depends on the history of the community and the importance placed on that history. For example, Bridgeton (established in 1686) offers Victorian, half-double, colonial, and rancher-style options. You can see the influence that the history of the area has had on the style of the homes. The neighborhood that you choose will influence the the styles and types of homes that you can pick from.

4. Research neighborhood schools and school systems

This is an important one for those of you who have children or plan on having them soon. Make sure that your neighborhood provides schools with passionate and skilled teachers and administrators. There is also the option of private school. It’s not necessary to live close to these schools, but nearness might be preferred. It will cut back on time spent getting yourself and your children ready in the morning and also decrease commute time.

5. Be flexible

Remember that no neighborhood is perfect. There will be elements of your list that you may need to sacrifice to get what you absolutely need from a neighborhood. But don’t be discouraged! If you keep an open mind and stay flexible, you’ll find the neighborhood that’s right for you!

Your new neighborhood is just as important as your new home. I hope this list has given you an idea of what to think about when you’re looking around. If we’ve missed an important tip, let us know in the comments section below!